No longer "skinny" after 3/25

Yep...it's my turn. I am tentatively scheduled for abdominal work and a "refill" up top on the 25th of March. It's gonna be weird without the floating alien skin puddles. GOOD WEIRD. I have to wear major spandex when working out or I scare people. It's kinda funny  when I get looks and comments from people about looking good...I'm thinking "if you only knew." Susan how are things going with you..how about an update? Praying as is wonderful. Beth B. in Chattanooga

Congratulations, Beth!  I wish I could get an air inflated job on my "upper top' too!  Mine looks just like the air has been let out of my tired.  No, not tired.  Yes its tired too!  lol, but out of my tires!!  Are you doing belt lipectomy?  Tummy tuck?  Muscle repair? 

Thanks Mel....I so need the refill. Someone once descibed theirs as tube socks with marbles in them on a forum....shoot...I don't even have a marble. This doctor is doing tummy tuck with muscle repair and the refill. HE didn't want to do too much at once...and gee I respect that. I carried most of my weight in my tummy. I just want the refill to feel sexy. I've been wearing masectomy breast thingys while I lost weight so that nobody would say "those weren't at the Christmas party." I was never well endowed. I do need a lift too. So he is doing that and I will be a full C. I want to feel desirable. Although my wonderful husband has never quit being the touchy, feely, lovey dovey man that he is with me...I don't feel sexy when I'm naked...Therefore I don't initiate things the way I used to. Anyway, Now that I have shared that bit of intimacy with you guys......He is paying for the "girls" so I keep teasing him that he should name them,,,but he says he never did before. I think I'll keep pushing that just because it makes him squirm....OOPPS

Beth Will you tell me what kind of mastectomy things you are talking about?  I walked past the breast center today at work, and saw their bras with padding, I wondered "gee would they sell me one of those?"  PM me please if you want to.  I am not ready to get mine done yet.  I want to let my body heal some more as that last surgery really did me in... kicked my tuckus if you know what i mean!!

http://www.drleonards.com/framework/controller.cfm?action=se arch just search the term breast. I like the look-naturals for everyday. notice they have the bras too. Newport news carries a limited number of bathing suits with masectomy pockets. the "enhancers" are small to add maybe a cup size to someone. They don't do enough for me. I'm sure there are other places to get them..but these are somewhat reasonable. Beth B. in Chattanooga

Hi Beth, I am in Chatt. too, and hoping to have surgery this summer with Dr. R. Any words of wisdom or notes on your experience? Also, do you mind me asking who is doing your "fill"? Thanks.

I love Dr. Rutledge...He is one of my heros. Ask questions, understand this is a total lifestyle change. You will go through "stages" including mourning food thta you don't need to be healthy. Food is fuel first and foremost. Listen to the rules that he gives and do what you can to get as healthy as you can before surgery. Drop the soda now for instance. Start walking. PM me if you want to get together. I would love a support Group here in Chattanooga like they have in the NAshville area. We can be here each and every day and meet once a month to encourage each other face to face. My "refill" I was talking about was breast implants with Dr. Chase. HE did a full belt lipectomy on a friend and I was encouraged by her results and my meeting with him. I had an RNY in August-2005 and my life is so much the better for it. Blessings Beth B. in Chattanooga

Hi Beth, you look wonderful now, can't picture you looking any hotter.  My dollies, can't afford a boob job, but they won't stay in a bra or sports bra, any help would be apprecited.  Thanks, Kathy

Hey Beth. I'm doing great!  I hear you on scaring people when working out. I sounded like an audience applauding when I was on the treadmill unless I was wearing spandex under my workout clothes.  I am looking forward to being able to actually touch my toes. My tummy skin kept me from reaching them before. Because of the back incision, I am not allowed to bend from the waist for 6 months though. Getting dressed has it's own challenges. At least I won't have to worry about socks as much once warmer weather gets here. I will pass on to you what was passed to me.  1. Make sure you have your favorite liquid protein on hand. You might even want to take some to the hospital with you if you will be staying overnight. Your appetite will probably be nil for at least a few days but your protein is very important for healing at this point. 2. Get some men's undershirts to wear under your binder/compression garment. This will give you a soft layer of cotton between your skin and the binder/girdle. These need to be small enough to fit close so you have a minimum of wrinkles under the binder/girdle. 3. If you don't already have a long grabber thingie, get one. You will not be able to bend to pick something up off the floor or stretch to get something over your head. 4. My surgeon doesn't allow showers until 24 hours after the last drain is removed. Tub baths are allowed 3 days after the last drain is removed. The hospital did give me a bottle of no rinse cleanser for sponge baths. You might ask about this as you may have to purchase this yourself. 5. Stool softeners are your friend!! Nuff said! 6. Take your pain meds! They are prescribed for a reason. You don't have to try to be superwoman and "suck it up" with the pain. I took mine every 4 hours for the first 3 or 4 days and then moved to every 6 hours or more for about 3 or 4 days eventually getting to where I didn't need anything by about day 10. I have an extremely high pain tolerance but meperidine was my very good friend. 7. Prepare to sleep in a recliner. You will not be able to lie flat and a recliner is going to be the easiest way to keep you in the correct position. Use pillows to support your knees and whatever else you need supported. 8. Walk! You will need to walk to prevent blood clots in your legs. It will also help with the soreness, stiffness and butt ache. If you currently experience tailbone pain when sitting, get a donut or pillow with the "U" cutout in back for the tailbone. 9. Drink your water. You already know how important this is for us anyway. The surgery will dehydrate you so it will be very important to push the water post-op. It will also get you up and moving as you need to get rid of the water after drinking. 10. Let your family take care of you. You are having a major surgery. You deserve some pampering. Also, I know it has made my husband feel less helpless as he watches me go through the healing process. Good luck! Please holler if you have any questions. I'm sure between Melinda, Mike and me, someone will have an answer or suggestion.

Thanks everyone. Susan, those are all great points some of which I would never have thought about. The grabber...hum....I'll get one and start practicing. I wonder what my husband will say to a mechanical pinch? KAthy, as I said I was never well endowed....so not much help. Beth B. in Chattanooga